I watched a small child building his dream home,a castle in the sand.I asked him why he built it so close to the water's edge.

All that hard workthe devotion and careto make it just rightthen one wave would wash it away.

He told me that his dreamwas always in his heartand even if the wave destroyed it,he would rebuild even better the next time.

I continued my walk along the shoretucking away his wisdom for another time.Waves were gliding around my feetand I became lost in thoughts of the one I love.

I knelt at the water's edgeand let my finger sink deep into the sanddrawing a symbol of the love I felt for him.

The next wave that slid upon the shorewashed the sandy heart away.All the devotion and careto make it just rightthen one wave and it was gone.

I recalled the wise words of the little boy and his castle in the sand.

The image had washed awayfrom the sandy beachbut nothing can destroy our dreamsif we hold them deep within our heart.

:rose

In The Face of Dawn

Wave upon wave no end in sighttossed on the sea through dark of nightclinging to the sides, and their life by a threadwishing they were home safely tucked into bed,as the storm continued to rage on and onthey clung to their faith and prayed for dawn.

Help us dear Lord, please calm the stormreturn us to our loved ones safe and warmif the watery grave is where our souls departforgive us our sins, make us pure of heart,as the storm continued to rage on and onthey prayed to God they'd live to see dawn.

Thunder rolled and the lightning dancedthe Captain stared at the storm entrancedwhile his crew and passengers clung to the sidehe knew they were in for one hell of a ride,as the storm continued to rage on and ontheir ship capsized in the face of dawn.

A north wind blew and clouds began shiftingthe sun shone down upon wreckage left driftingwaves became calm and survivors criedfor the souls that floated away with the tide,as the raging storm swiftly moved on and onthey gathered their strength and prayed at dawn.

:rose

Fantasy's Fire

Castles and fairies, angels and elveslittle golden books placed on the shelves.

Gremlins and goblins under your bedinvading your dreams, it's all in your head.

The Cyclops and Sinbadunicorns and ZeusThe Wizard of Ozand sweet Mother Goose.

Ancestors past then bid him goodnightvowing to return with the kerosine light.

:rose

I can't seem to find the picture that goes with this poem - just as a note to keep in mind as you read, the "archways of gold" are lights on the side of a bridge - not in any way connected to the "golden arches"

Oblivious Beauty

A structure of beautywhen viewed from the streetengineering and designcertainly no small featthe soft yellow glowthat beams through the nightalmost makes us forgetwhat is hidden from sight.

Concealed in the shadowsamong the archways of golda 14 year old huddlesshe's frightened and coldthe streets are no placefor a young girl to roambut there's no place to goshe can't face life at home.

Deeper in the shadowsaway from the streeta homeless man rummagesto find something to eathis life is now differentbeen down on his luckhe picks up cans to recyclejust to make a quick buck.

Shouts and then echoesamong the archways of goldslurred words and obscenitiesaccompany drugs being soldprepackaged goodsknown as sugar or honeyobscure in the shadowsas they count their money.

At first glance it may appearthat all is fine and wellbut look beneath the surfaceto see another's private helllife in the shadows continuesoblivious people travel byas the beauty of the archwayslights up the midnight sky.

:rose

Storybook Dreams

To ride in the coacha dream of all young girlsgrand balls with fine dressesand tresses of curls.

White gloves to their elbowsa Prince on their armwith manners and poiseelegance and charm.

Horses prancing distinguished crownsmiles from peasantsas they ride through town.